St. Peter’s High School
Geography Department

Mr A Barnard| Mrs A Dadge | Mr J Mitchell | Mrs S Miklausic | Mrs G Stott | Mr A Williams

     
Mrs Stott's New Year Trip to the Norfolk Coast
  

GOING...GOING...GONE.

Excerpts from the Happisburgh village web site.

www.happisburgh.org.uk The Coastal Concern Action Group

BBC report on erosion problems at Happisburgh

Tetering on the Edge - The Tea shop at Happisburgh

Sea Threat to Coastal Communties

 

Happisburgh is being abandoned!


The wooden sea defences built in the late '50s at Happisburgh, North Norfolk have been failing over the last few years, and large chunks of the sandy cliffs are regularly falling into the sea. Homes and businesses are at imminent risk.

The owners of properties destroyed because of the erosion get no compensation for the loss of their home and in some cases their livelihood.

Schemes for new defences over the years have all failed due to persistent objectors, and constant changes in guidelines by the central government agency - DEFRA. Now, neither local or central government claim to be able to justify spending their limited resources on protecting this picturesque unspoiled English village.

Meanwhile, it is widely accepted that a number of homes will be lost this winter unless immediate and decisive action is taken.


  

photograph curtesy of the Happisburgh website www.happisburgh.org.uk

 

  

In 1959, timber defences were constructed between Ostend and Cart Gap. These started failing in the '80's, and by 1989 North Norfolk District Council (NNDC) identified the need for a major investment in new defences. Local government is responsible for repairs and upkeep of sea defences, but any capital scheme such as renewal of existing defences or creation of new ones requires the acceptance, approval and funding of central government.

Various schemes were proposed throughout the 90's, but for a variety of reasons failed to reach fruition. The same two objectors were prominent throughout this period; Lord of the manor Eric Couzens, and Professor Keith Clayton who felt that taxpayers money could be better spent elsewhere.

In 2000, MAFF agreed to fund a Strategy Study of the coast between Ostend and Cart Gap - the purpose of the study was to investigate the coastal processes and if possible to develop a strategy to renew the defences. A report and scheme was advertised in December 2001 recommending a 3-stage approach, commencing with the construction of a rock groyne at the south end of Beach Road.

copyright Happisburgh website www.happisburgh.org.uk